Amex Credit Cards: Is the Hype Worth It?

American Express has a way of making their cards look pretty irresistible. Flashy sign-up bonuses, invites to fancy lounges, early access to tickets—it almost feels like joining an exclusive club. But if you’re like me, with a kid who’s always finding new reasons to raid the snack cabinet and a dog that somehow needs more monthly treats than groceries, you probably want to go beyond the shiny marketing. Is it really worth paying that annual fee?

Start with the basics: Amex cards are famous for travel perks, reward points, and customer service. That platinum card? It’s basically the celebrity of wallets, comes packed with airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and even Uber credits. But all that glam comes at a cost—some annual fees are higher than what I paid for my last family camping trip (and that included ice cream for Dante and a new chew toy for Oliver).

• Amex Perks Everyone Talks About
• Annual Fees and What You Get
• Who Really Benefits From Amex?
• Hidden Drawbacks Worth Knowing
• When Amex Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)

Amex Perks Everyone Talks About

People can’t stop raving about what you get with an Amex card. The most popular ones, like the Platinum and Gold, aren’t shy when it comes to handing out perks. Let’s run through the stuff you actually hear about—and what makes folks stick with American Express even when the fees get steep.

• Airport Lounge Access: With the Amex Platinum, you get into Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and a bunch of Priority Pass lounges. This isn’t just free snacks; it’s legit comfy chairs, WiFi, and a break from the airport chaos. My friend Ted basically plans layovers just to hit these lounges. Amex even includes guests if you add them (sometimes for a fee, so double check the fine print).
• Points Game: Amex’s Membership Rewards program is simple compared to some banks, but crazy flexible. You earn points from regular spending and get bonus points from stuff like supermarkets, flights, or restaurants. You can then transfer points to partners like Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, and more. Some hacks get you two cents per point if you transfer smartly.
• Travel Credits: Platinum and Gold throw in travel credits. The Platinum card gives you $200 each year for airline fees (baggage, seat selection—stuff airlines love to charge for). You can also get $200 Uber credit and $189 CLEAR Plus membership—helps speed you through airport security if you actually fly more than once a year.
• Purchase Protection: Break your new headphones or have them stolen? Eligible Amex cards have your back for 90 days, usually up to $1,000 per claim ($50,000 yearly). That’s peace of mind, especially if you’re clumsy like me or your kid likes grabbing your stuff.
• Exclusive Events: Amex loves showing off with early access to concerts or sporting events. Big fan of Beyoncé or want the best seats at MLB games? Cardholders usually get dibs.

Here’s a snapshot of the main perks, side by side:

Not every perk makes sense for every spender. If you’re not booking flights or hitting Manhattan’s food scene on the regular, some credits just sit unused. But when you can stack the right credits and rewards, it feels like you’re actually scoring something back for swiping your Amex card.

Annual Fees and What You Get

Here’s where things get real. The Amex annual fees aren’t small potatoes. Take the Amex Platinum Card—you're staring down a $695 price tag every year (as of 2025). The Gold Card sits at $250, and even the Green Card runs you $150. Not a small dent, especially compared to cards that cost fifty bucks or nothing at all.

So what exactly do you get for coughing up this cash? Let’s break down the main benefits for each of the main Amex cards:

Now let’s be honest—some of these perks sound great on paper, but only matter if you actually use them. For example, Platinum’s $200 airline fee credit must go toward bags or snacks (not tickets), and those Uber credits come as $15 per month (with a $20 bonus in December), use-it-or-lose-it style. Miss a month, and poof—gone.

• Dining credits? Only at specific places, like Grubhub or The Cheesecake Factory for Gold.
• Travel perks? Amazing if you’re in airports more than your own kitchen, but kind of pointless otherwise.

One neat thing: The Amex Platinum’s lounge access really does work if you fly a lot. Just last year, I got to skip the airport chaos with Dante and score free snacks (even Oliver would’ve been jealous). But if travel isn’t in your regular routine, you may never get the value. With Amex, it’s “use it or lose it” for a bunch of these credits.

The lesson? Crunch the numbers. Take that annual fee and see if your real-life spending and habits would actually let you use all these extras. If not, you might be paying a premium for things you barely use.

Who Really Benefits From Amex?

So, who actually gets the most out of an Amex card? It’s not as simple as “everyone wins.” These cards shine brightest for folks who spend big on travel, groceries, or going out. If you’re booking flights every month, popping into airport lounges, and using hotel programs, the value adds up fast. For example, the Amex Platinum card covers over 1,400 airport lounges around the world—great if you dread waiting at the gate with a toddler who’s melting down or you just want some decent Wi-Fi for work.

People who live in big cities or travel for work get a lot back. Amex’s points system can be swapped for airline miles or hotel stays, which comes in handy if your job or hobbies keep you on the move. Plus, certain cards boost points on everyday spending—think groceries, gas, restaurants, and even rideshares. If you don’t travel much but order takeout a lot, something like the Amex Gold card piles up rewards on food.

There’s more. Amex throws in perks like cell phone protection (if you pay your bill with the card), purchase protection on stuff you buy, and sometimes access to ticket presales for concerts and sports events. Families can get value too, with things like statement credits for Uber Eats or streaming services.

• If you love travel perks, Amex delivers on airport lounges, hotel upgrades, and points transfers.
• If you spend regularly in bonus categories like groceries or dining, you rack up points even faster.
• If you value shopping protections, Amex cards cover things like returns and price drops for a lot of items.
• If you pay your bills in full every month, you’re less likely to get burned by Amex’s sometimes high interest rates.

But if you rarely travel or don’t use the card’s bonus perks, the yearly fee is honestly just going to sting. It pays off the most when you actually use what’s on the table.

Hidden Drawbacks Worth Knowing

Let’s talk about the not-so-flashy side of American Express. Sure, those perks are awesome, but there are some real drawbacks you should know before signing up. First, the Amex acceptance rate is lower than you think. In the U.S., most major places take it, but as soon as you try local shops or eat out at small-town diners, you’ll run into places that just say, “Sorry, we don’t take Amex.” Step outside the U.S., and this problem gets even bigger, especially in Europe and parts of Asia.

The annual fees sting too. The Platinum card clocks in at $695 a year in 2025, and even some of the basic cards can hit you for $95 or $250. Not paying attention? You might find yourself paying for perks you aren’t even using. According to The Points Guy, up to 40% of premium cardholders don’t maximize their credits and benefits each year. That’s like buying a gym membership and only showing up for the free water bottle opening day.

Another thing: If you like carrying a balance, Amex isn’t your friend. Most cards are either charge cards, where you have to pay in full every month, or if they have a payment plan, the interest rates are usually higher than the competition. So, using it for get-by spending between paychecks is risky if you can’t clear your balance monthly.

"Compared to Visa and Mastercard, American Express is accepted by only about 10.6 million merchants in the U.S., versus 11.7 million for the other networks. Internationally, the gap is even wider." — from 2024 Nilson Report

• More limited acceptance overseas and in smaller U.S. businesses
• High annual fees (Platinum: $695 in 2025; Gold: $250; Green: $150)
• Perks require action—unused airline, hotel, or Uber credits won’t roll over
• Amex interest rates (upwards of 20%) and late fees can get expensive

When you look past the marketing, you’ve got to weigh the cool factor against the reality of where you’ll actually use your card, whether you’ll really use those benefits, and how much that price tag hits your wallet every year.

When Amex Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)

So when does an American Express card actually fit into real life? If you travel often—think three or more trips a year—Amex cards like the Platinum start earning their keep. Just using airport lounges a few times a year can cover a big chunk of that annual fee. Plus, the statement credits for Uber, airlines, and certain retailers are pretty much free money Amex gives back if you remember to use them. I’ve seen folks pay off family trips just in points, especially if they collect for a year and cash out at the perfect time.

But owning an Amex doesn’t add up for everyone. If you spend most months glued to your home base, or your idea of a “trip” is a quick drive-through coffee run, those perks won’t do much. Some smaller businesses and local spots don’t accept American Express, especially in rural towns or smaller cities. That’s a hassle when you buy donuts to bribe your kid after a long week and end up having to use another card.

The annual fees are where many folks stumble. For reference, as of 2025, the Platinum card's fee is $695 a year, and the Gold card charges $250. If you’re not using all the extra credits and rewards, it’s hard to see the value. As Brian Kelly from The Points Guy puts it:

"You shouldn’t pay for perks you aren’t going to use. If you’re not getting at least as much value as the annual fee, it might be time to look for a simpler, no-fee card."

• Go Amex if you travel often, book hotels online, and live near an airport that partners with their lounge network.
• Skip it if you rarely travel, don’t want to juggle multiple credits, or shop a lot at places that refuse Amex.
• Always make sure your spending lines up with the rewards categories. If you’re a homebody or mostly use cash, the math won’t work out for you.

In the end, it comes down to personal habits. If you can max out the perks and avoid late payments, Amex is like a rewards machine. If not, those shiny cards just collect dust—and cost you money for the privilege.